Holmfirth Working Men’s Liberal Club - 25th Nov 1873

LIBERAL DEMONSTRATION AT HOLMFIRTH.

   The second annual demonstration of the Holmfirth Working Men’s Liberal Club was held in the Town Hall last Tuesday.  A public tea was first provided in the hall in the afternoon, at which about 150 persons were present.  Miss Booth, confectioner, Upper Bridge, supplied the viands, which were of a very good quality. The trays were presided at by the following ladies:- Mrs. S. Wimpenny, Mrs. F. W. Thorp, Mrs. J. Dyson, Mrs. Wm. Haigh, Mrs. James Brook, Miss Booth (Thorp Heys), Miss Beaumont and Miss Hampshire.

   After tea a meeting was held in the hall, the hall being filled.  J.T. Taylor, Esq., the president of the club, was chairman on the occasion.  There was also on the platform, Miss Lydia Becker, of Manchester, the Rev. J. Colville, Messrs. H. Butterworth, T. Mellor, W. McNish, Alfred Wood, the Rev. T. W. Holmes, of Sheffield, Mr. Moore Sykes, of Huddersfield, and Mr. S. Boothroyd, the secretary.

   The CHAIRMAN, in his opening address, said that they had heard lately that the division line between political parties was gradually growing fainter.  But he asked if the reverse was not the case.  He believed they were now on the eve of a great political struggle that was nearing, the eve of a general election.  They ought to make themselves masters of political matters, so as to be prepared for that time.

   The Rev. T. W. HOLMES, of Sheffield (formerly of Holmfirth), then addressed the meeting.  He alluded to the two great events in the political world lately – the return of Mr. Bright to public life and the speeches of Mr. Disraeli at Glasgow.  His remarks were full of humour and direct attacks on the Conservative party.  He said that Mr. Disraeli’s utterances were like those of a person who asked others a riddle to guess and when they gave it up he smiled idiotically and said he did not know it himself.  The Tories in the same way did not know their own policy.  In reference to the Education Act he said that the country did not wish to pay for the propagation of different religious opinions in different parts of the country, but in secular education Government ought to put down denominationalism.  He instanced Mr. Gladstone as one whose mind had been warped by religious education, while Mr. Bright had not been so educated, and he therefore saw things more clearly.

   Mr. MOORE SYKES was the next speaker.  He dwelt on the different principles and actions of Liberals, Conservatives, and Constitutionalists, comparing the Conservative party to a horse that would not move until it was flogged.

   Miss LYDIA BECKER, of Manchester, on being introduced by the chairman, was received with loud applause. She first touched upon the general questions of Liberal policy, saying that the Conservatives could do without a policy, but Liberals could not.  Miss Becker then passed on to the question of national education, referring to the opposite opinions of Mr. Gladstone and Mr.Bright as to denominational schools being supported by the State.  She said that her three years’ experience of the working of the 25^th clause of the Education Act in Manchester, had convinced her that the clause must be repealed in favour of a national system of education, but it should not be unconditionally repealed.  If perpetuated, it would certainly do great mischief.  She was in favour of no money being paid to any schools not being public bodies, and to have all schools under School Boards.  No doubt this would be more costly, but they ought not to be afraid of spending the money.  It would take a great deal more to educate the Ashantees than the English, and she would rather spend the money in England than on the Gold Coast.  She believed that the Ministers had not yet made up their minds what they would do next.  They looked to meetings like that to know what the country desired them to do.  Whatever measures were right and practicable and nearest solution ought to be carried out first.  She was for evolution and not for revolution.  Miss Becker also referred to the questions of the disestablishment of the English Church and of international arbitration.  In speaking of Parliamentary reform, she said there must be many in Holmfirth as willing to vote at elections as dwellers in cellars in Manchester were.  The question of the extension of the county franchise was closely connected with the question in which she took most interest – the removal of the electoral disabilities of women.  They had household suffrage in boroughs, but, strange to say, it did not include all householders.  It was inconsistent that 6,000 female householders in Manchester should be debarred from the franchise.  It was said that women were not fit to have the franchise, because they were under the influence of priests; but then it was the priests that ought the be disenfranchised, and not the women.  If the men of Holmfirth wanted votes for themselves, let them not leave out the women.  In primary schools girls were placed at a disadvantage to boys, because less was paid for their instruction, and in higher education it was much worse, for no such colleges and training for professions were provided for women as men, so that they could not rise together; the men were elevated, while the women remained at a lower level.  But a Nemesis would overtake the nation which did not provide equally for the women and the men, for the women would drag the men backwards if they could not rise with them.  At the conclusion of her address, Miss Becker was again loudly applauded.

   On the motion of Mr. H. BUTTERWORTH, seconded by Mr. S. WIMPENNY, a vote of thanks was given to the speakers, which was responded to by Miss Becker.

   A vote of thanks to the ladies was proposed by Mr. WALTER PRESTON, seconded by Mr. S. BOOTHROYD, and carried; to which the Rev. J. COLVILLE responded.

   A similar compliment was given to the chairman, it being moved by Mr. MCNISH, seconded by Mr. ALFRED WOOD, and duly acknowledged.

   The Holmfirth Temperance Handbell Ringers were also present during the evening, and performed some of their prize music in a very pleasing manner.

-   The Huddersfield Daily Chronicle, 28^th November 1873